Obituary of Robert A. Acquistapace

Robert “Bob” Attilio Acquistapace passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Hollister at the family ranch on Acquistapace Road. Bob was born on July 23, 1941 in Hollister, California to Attilio and Ida Acquistapace. Bob attended San Benito High School in Hollister. After high school, Bob joined the Army National Guard and was stationed in Kentucky. In the Guard, he got to explore many parts of the United States and always spoke highly of his time in the Guard and his love of America. Throughout his life, Bob worked on the Acquistapace Dairy Farm, where he would milk and took care of cows, raise calves and chickens, and farm crops such as hay, alfalfa, walnuts, and corn. Bob was an active member of the San Joaquin Valley Dairyman’s Association. Bob, his father and mother and brother and sister, all worked the farm every day from sun-up to sun-down and built an outstanding herd of hundreds of Holstein cattle and a Grade-A milking facility which was used for Berkely Farms Milk and Precious Mozzarella Cheese. Virtually every day, Bob would have oatmeal in the old farmhouse with Gene and many close friends who would stop by for an early breakfast and lively debates. Bob also had a passion for painting motorcycles and cars that were beautiful works of art. He won many competitions for his painting talents and had a collection of super tall trophies to show for it. There are still some of his motorcycles that are exhibited in museums in Southern California. Bob traveled to Italy many times, visiting his Acquistapace relatives in Piantedo, Italy, where he took many of photos and videos to share back in Hollister. He was adept in Italian and Spanish languages though he always downplayed how good he was. Later in life, Bob jumped on the internet to keep current with farming, things going on in the world and political events. Bob is deeply missed by his devoted family: his daughter Audra Acquistapace; his sister Alda Wyatt and his sister-in-law Lois Acquistapace; his nephews Richard Wyatt, Randall Wyatt, Russell Wyatt, Michael Acquistapace, Mark Acquistapace, and Marty Acquistapace; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family, and friends. Bob was proceeded in death by his brother Eugene “Gene” Acquistapace and parents Attilio and Ida Acquistapace. Visitation will be at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home (870 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA) on Monday, January 22nd from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral will be on Tuesday, January 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church (7290 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos, CA) for a Mass of the Resurrection and Service. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery (1100 Hillcrest Road, Hollister, CA). Reception will follow at the Damm Vineyard (3016 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA). Per the family's request, donations be made to Hollister High School FFA or the San Benito County Forage.